The leaves are turning, the air is crisp, it’s time to get back in the studio and take a class with us!
Make your own Holiday gifts this year in one of our 6-week classes like Intro to Silversmithing , or Intro to Wax Carving
FALL+WINTER 2016 COURSE CATALOG
NR: My favorite musician is Macklemore…I’m more of an audiobook addict since I spend so much time in my studio. My favorite book of late is The Nightingale.
NR: I took a couple of silversmithing courses in college over 20 years ago. I made a really fun ring with lost cast wax that I was proud of at the time.
NR: My recent collection of botanical jewelry has taught me a tremendous amount about complex soldering, how to use heat syncs, how to heat just enough of the surrounding silver for the filler metal to melt perfectly into targeted seams, and how to make the most use of my pick while soldering.
NR: Yes…this one. It’s a larch cone. Soldering on each of the tiny layers presented a challenge.
NR: These poppy seed pods, primarily because it’s easy to explode a sphere while soldering on the additional components.
NR: I can’t say that I have just one favorite artist, but I’ve recently discovered the work of John Grade: http://johngrade.com. I would love to take him out for a glass or two of wine and listen to his story. As an artists, how did he reach where he is today?
Lights, camera, action … right?!
If only it were that easy. Photographing jewelry takes an appreciation for light, color, and focus and can be difficult to master let alone learn on one’s own.
Choosing the right background to make your piece pop, natural vs. studio light, props and garnishes – all of these things matter when trying to make your piece stand out.
We’re running a great four hour intensive on Sunday, September 11th with Photographer Nick Papadakis, a NYC based artist with extensive product photography experience.
Using your own jewelry and your own phone, you’ll learn how to utilize common objects and light sources to showcase your pieces in the best possible way without the use of a fancy (and expensive) professional camera.
Here are some beautiful shots from last year’s session… and yes these were taken by a smartphone! We only have 2 spots left – can’t wait for you to join us!
Saturday + Sunday | July 16 + 17 | 11am-5:00pm | $240 | Register Now!
In this weekend workshop we’ll be exploring different styles and techniques to create your Perfect Pendant. Learn to construct bezel settings for cabochon, faceted gemstones, and fancy shaped stones. Working with sterling silver, we use hammer and stamps, as well as high polish, and oxidized finishes to accentuate textures and highlight designs. Students may bring their own stones or purchase from the tutor’s collection. Materials are provided.
Check out some of our students amazing work!!!
Next weekend we’re hosting a super fun Weekend Workshop on Etching!
Saturday + Sunday | Jun 25+26 |11am-5pm | $240 | Register Now!
In this two day weekend workshop students will discover how to create raised patterns in metal without using any special equipment! You’ll learn how to transfer images onto metal to etch a variety designs using a low toxic and safe method. Etching is the process of using chemicals to cut a design or pattern into a metal surface. Etching your own designs into metal is a fun and rewarding way to customize your jewelry!
Class covers a variety of resist processes including ink transfer techniques and free hand solutions. We will also be covering basic metalsmithing techniques like drilling, filing, refining, and a variety of polishing and sealing methods, so this class is open to beginners as well as intermediate and advanced students.
Extra materials will be provided.
We spent a little time in the studio perfecting the technique this week, here’s some fun action shots:
Here’s the pieces after they’ve come out:
And here’s a couple styles of the final products!
This weekend we’re hosting a super fun one day workshop on Salt Casting!
Saturday | Jun 11 |11am-5pm | $179 | Register Now!
Salt Casting is the art of melting metal to its molten form and then pouring it over salt. This creates spontaneous forms and unusual shapes. In this workshop we learn how to recycle metal, create many different alloys, pour metal into different forms, and fabricate jewelry out of the salt cast pieces. Your old jewelry and scraps (gold, silver, copper) can be cast into new and wondrous forms. The salt cast pieces can be made into earrings, pendants, and pins during the workshop. Extra materials will be provided.
We spent a little time in the studio perfecting the technique this week, here’s some fun action shots:
Here’s the pieces after they’ve come out:
And here’s the final products!
Michaela Turley is the designer and maker behind small jewelry brand, Mijatu. Working out of her home studio in New York City, she originally came from the sunny shores of Australia where she was constantly surrounded, and ultimately influenced by the strength and natural beauty of the environment around her.
LJS: What’s your background? How did you get into jewelry making, and when?
MT: I actually work in advertising, which whilst useful in some ways, is not at all related to using my hands with making jewelry! After recently moving to New York from Australia two years ago, I was looking for a hobby – stumbled across a jewelry making class and have become just slightly addicted since!
LJS: Describe your process, from inspiration to final product. Do you draw a design first or do you just start creating? Is it different everytime?
Michaela TurleyT: I utilize the lost wax process in creating all of my work, which suits the fluidity of my designs. My inspiration comes from nature, and it’s ability to create beauty from the smallest of details. I first sketch out the overall look of my design, usually with a few alternatives and then try to draw out a couple of other designs in other forms (such as a necklace or earrings if I’m starting with a ring) that builds out a potential line. If I’m happy with the overall look and feel, then I will jump straight into creating. The great thing with working with wax is that it can evolve as you are creating, which often means that the end result is usually a little different to my original sketch – but that’s what I think makes the design better, it evolves to where it needs to be, rather than constricting the design to a one dimensional sketch.
LJS: Do you ever hit creative road blocks? How do you remedy that?
MT: Yes! I think that’s what makes the process, and the design better. I welcome them, because once overcome, it makes me feel like the design is even better. When I do have them, I often flick back through my sketchbook – sometimes the answer has already been discovered, it’s just in a different form, or design.
LJS: What’s your favorite piece you’ve ever made?
MT: My favorite piece to wear is my circle necklace and matching circle studs in 14K gold – I carved each circle by hand and I love how effortless and simple they are. That being said, I am very proud of my Stella ring – it has an art deco feel to it and took a very long time to carve, but it’s intricateness is something that is very eye catching on.
LJS: What class(es) have you taken at Liloveve?
MT: Bezel Setting & Prong Setting
LJS: If you could collaborate with another designer/artist, who would it be and why?
MT: I would love to do a collaboration with small, emerging nature photographers like Vivian Chen – a lot of my designs are inspired by nature and the way they are able to capture raw yet beautiful elements is very inspirational.
LJS: Where do you exhibit / sell your work?
LJS: What’s your background? How did you get into jewelry making, and when?
JD: While working a corporate fashion job, I was looking for something to put more creative energy into. I wanted to start my own business and find more fulfillment in my work- It wasn’t until Sept/Nov 2015 where the medium became jewelry. I took the silver ring making intensive (admittedly, after a breakup) and was hooked from that point on!
LJS: Describe your process, from inspiration to final product. Do you draw a design first or do you just start creating? Is it different everytime?
JD: I’m most inspired by natural forms. I have a textile background so I tend to think of a sheet of silver as a muslin. I create jewelry much the same way- sometimes it’s “flat pattern” where I measure carefully before cutting. Other times it’s like draping techniques. I just start bending the metal and let it do something fun for me. I often draw before, but the process to the end result varies.
LJS: Do you ever hit creative road blocks? How do you remedy that?
JD: The creativity abounds on paper! More often than not I hit the road blocks in practice. Problems always lie in our expectations, right? I think the metal sheet or wire wants to play with me and be cooperative…but that’s not always the case. Fair enough, I was torching it with 1500+ degrees, I get it. The remedy for me is always to take a breather. Put it aside and come back to it when I’m not frustrated.
LJS: What’s your favorite piece you’ve ever made?
JD: I made an earring in the Hoops & Studs intensive that I call “the wave earring”. This is the perfect example of my ideal process- The sketch happened, the “pattern” cut out and the bending all came together very quickly and effortlessly. The process was almost as enjoyable as the end product and that, my friends, is magic.
LJS: What class(es) have you taken at Liloveve?
JD: Silver Ring intensive, Intro to Silversmithing, Wax I, Hoops & Studs, and am currently enrolled in Wax II – Stone Setting
LJS: If you could collaborate with another designer/artist, who would it be and why?
JD: I partnered with my dad to start the business and he’s very artistic and animated so that’s been really fun– as for a more “third party” artist…I think I’d have my little eye on a collaboration with Phetus. Check him out on Insta @phetus88 – I love how sweet and funny his monsters look! Wouldn’t it be cool to do some kind of micro-machines wearable version?? We’ll get there 🙂
LJS: Where do you exhibit / sell your work?
JD: My dad and I have been hiding our wares out in Tulsa, Oklahoma – trying out protos and getting our bearings on a production level, but we are aiming for an April 21 website launch. I am planning on showing in NY within the next couple months so keep a lookout!
I encourage all to subscribe to our mailing list to get the first look before public launch 4/21 at http://www.shopjenniferdunham.com
of course we’re on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/shopjenniferdunham/
and our insta is @shopjenniferdunham
So you’ve taken a few jewelry making classes, have a fabulous idea for a jewelry collection and have began making samples, but wait! Have you thought about marketing? How about how to set up a business in New York? How to apply for a sales tax certificate, and when to collect it?
Running a Jewelry Business is more than designing and making jewelry. In fact, there are many more aspects to business that most designers aren’t aware of when they try to launch a new jewelry line. But don’t fret – we’ve got two classes coming up covering these topics among other valuable practical knowledge for starting and running a successful jewelry business.
Business for Designers (April 3 | Sunday | $120 | 11am-5pm) is all about learning how to start a jewelry business. You’ll learn about different types of businesses from sole proprietorship to a corporation, different laws and taxes you’ll need to know, as well as building a web presence and marketing your work.
Jewelry Production (April 3 | $120 | Saturday | 11am-5pm) is all about developing a coherent line for production, production techniques, selling retail vs. wholesale, and much more. You’ll also have an opportunity to bring in a few samples, and to discuss individual questions in a one-on-one setting with the instructor.
Take them together, and you’ll set yourself up for a successful business launch!
LILOVEVE 